United Airlines will make history tomorrow at 8 a.m. Eastern Time when Flight 2940 departs from Newark/New York to Houston, marking the first time a major U.S. airline offers Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight.
According to United, more than 170 customers aboard the Boeing 737-800 will experience high-speed, low-latency internet through Starlink, with connectivity available on both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens. The same aircraft is scheduled to operate flights between Houston (IAH) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) later in the day, ending the evening in Houston.
The airline expects to install Starlink on up to 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month, adding another aircraft type by the end of the year. Two Starlink antennas will be installed per plane, totaling nearly 2,940 antennas across the fleet—the same number as tomorrow’s inaugural flight.
Starlink Wi-Fi is free for United MileagePlus® members, with customers notified in advance if their flight is equipped.
“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to the onboard experience, and with Starlink, we’re changing how people fly,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer.
United’s Starlink service enables live streaming, real-time work collaboration, gaming, and online shopping, with the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
The airline first introduced Starlink on regional jets in May 2025 and now has more than half of its regional fleet equipped. Customer feedback has been positive, with 90% of passengers praising the streaming quality and reliability.
The rollout supports United’s broader plan to expand in-flight entertainment, including more than 300,000 seatback screens across its fleet as part of ongoing investments to enhance the passenger experience.
